Scientists warn that
glaciers atop a Mexican
volcano are melting
at a far more rapid pace
than previously believed
and could disappear
in four short years
due to global warming. Currently dormant
volcano Iztaccihuatl
was once home
to five glaciers,
a number which has now
dropped to three.
It contains one of
the world's few
tropical glaciers
and one of only two
such glacial fields
remaining in Mexico.
Dr. Hugo Delgado,
glaciologist
at Mexico City's
National Autonomous
University of Mexico
(UNAM) believes that
the current rapid pace of
melting ice will render
all to be gone by 2015.
Commenting
on previous estimates
that the glacier would
last several decades,
he stated, “What
we've seen at Iztaccihuatl
is an intense period
of glacial retreat in the
last few years, which
has changed the picture.”
The glaciers'
thickest point is now
only around 10 meters,
down from 90 meters
measured in the past.
Snowfalls are also noted
to be ever rarer
on the 5,200-meter peak,
with vegetation that now
grows at higher altitudes.
As is the case
elsewhere in the world,
Mexico's disappearing
glaciers spell trouble
for populations and
agriculture that depend
on the annual snow melt
for drinking water
and hydropower.
Our appreciation,
Dr. Delgado and colleagues,
for your work
that raises awareness
on the rapid decline
of the unique Iztaccihuatl
glacier field.
May we quickly act
in all ways necessary to
reverse climate change,
thus preserving
our beautiful planet and
her diverse inhabitants.
Speaking during
a March 2009
videoconference
in Mexico,
Supreme Master Ching Hai
addressed humanity's
urgent need to adopt
the most eco-conducive
lifestyles to halt such
dangerous glacier retreat
and save the Earth.
Supreme Master Ching Hai : The glacier on
the Iztaccihuatl volcano
in Central Mexico
lost 30 meters in 6 years.
The temperature
of the glaciers is
close to freezing,
but it's not freezing.
So, the temperature does
not preserve the glacier,
so the glacier
on the Iztaccihuatl,
Pico de Orizaba volcanoes,
the glaciers there are
expected to disappear
in the next 10
or something years.
You can look that up on
the National
Autonomous University
of Mexico.
There are surely
more terrible situations
in Mexico
that are not checked,
due to our carelessness
in taking care of
the environment,
and the global warming
resulting thereof.
We still have hope,
high hope
to save the planet.
You just be vegetarian,
and then you ask
anybody who you know
to be vegetarian with you.
That's the most
simple solution
and the most effective
to save the planet,
according to
scientific research,
according to
medical research,
and according to
all the religious advice.
http://www.spa.gov.sa/English/details.php?id=865001,
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41600976/ns/world_news-americas/